RECOVERY OF RATES.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2552, 12 March 1877, Page 2

RECOVERY OF RATES.

aTo the Editor of the Evening Star.)

Sib,—Would you kindly answer the following questions—viz., will the Govern* ment subsidy be irrecoverably lost on all unpaid rates on the 31st of this month? or will the Borough not get credit for the same next year P My .reason for asking the above questions being that I consider the late action of the Borough Council nothing short of petty tyranny in issuing, indiscriminately, summonses against ail those ratepayers whose rates remain unpaid through' no fault of their own. I wilt just relate, one case, that of a man who has got a wife and three children: the same man to my own knowledge has not earned £3 since Christmas, but has on several occasions applied to the Borough authorities for employment to work out his rales, and has been refused thai privilege, although others can get permanent employment under the canvass slippers. I think it a great pity that you did not give full report of the last Counpil meeting, in order that the burgesses might know who the Councillor was that proposed such a monstrous injustice, ul» though ray own impression is that the T.C. is the man from whom the idea emanated—the gentleman who gets £250 a year for doing that .which, could be

equally well done for £150 a year ; and it is quite possible that Mr F g has had Lomething to do with- it, and his salary could be very we)l cut down £50, and then, perhaps, lie would be a better seirant. .Now, s-r, I submit that if the Borough Couuc'!lors^ are in earnest for the good of the Borough they could at once set to .work and reduce those exorbitant salaries. But what lam the most surprised at is that D. Mac. should be present and not raise his voice against such tyranny being imposed en men equally as honest es any one connected with.ihe Borough Council. And as for sou.c of the other Councillors, how much better, would it be if they would only attend such meetings in their ■ Sunday clothes. In conclusion, sir, I may "state that if it is a crime to. be, poor I must plead guilty; but never had I yet to clear out of any place for debt, nor am I afraid or ashamed to .return, to" any " place where I have lived.—l am, &c.p '" W. Plamt; P.S.—Can you inform me how much the health officer receives for the whole* sale' delivery of summonses.—W.P. ' : Shortland, March 12th, 77. [Will answer your, questions to-morrow. Biiefly "No" and "Yes" would .-do, but are open to qualification.— Ed.}' : "' \ , s ; ■